VCE Graduates or Qualified Teachers?

Over past few years, there has been an emergence of lectures and programs set up and delivered by recent VCE graduates. The question is:

Can a recent VCE graduate prepare students for their VCE assessments to the same standard that a qualified experienced VCE teacher can?

Not surprisingly, recent VCE graduates believe that they can. Some believe they’re more capable than a qualified, experienced VCE teacher and proudly advertise as such.

However, there are widespread concerns amongst educators regarding inexperienced VCE graduates who aren’t qualifiedteachers trying to prepare students for their VCE assessments, assessments that have the potential to change future career prospects.

Do you run the risk of using VCE graduates or take the safer option and use qualified teachers?

Recent VCE Graduates as Educators

Advantages

Students are more likely to identify with younger educators.

Recent VCE graduates have just finished the VCE and know first hand what current students are going through.

Disadvantages

Many student-run programs focus heavily on fun at the expense of actual learning.

A high ATAR or study score doesn’t equip a recent VCE graduate with the knowledge that’s required to prepare students for their SACs and exams. As an example, a student who obtained a study score of 45 in Math Methods only answered about 79% of Exam 2 correctly. A student who completed Year 12 this year received an ATAR of 98.45, which included a raw score of 35 in Maths Methods and 33 in Chemistry! Do these students have the knowledge to prepare other students for their VCE?

Recent VCE graduates can’t teach you how and where marks are awarded, which statements or terms must be included in exam responses, and alternate answers that would also receive full marks. This information is restricted to VCE exam markers and can make a huge difference to your VCE marks.

Most of the graduates delivering student-run lectures have no experience with the current study design. They have not been taught, nor have they been assessed on the topics that students are now being examined on. They are self-taught, using limited information that doesn’t cover the scope required for the higher VCE marks.

Qualified Teachers as Educators

Advantages

Many teachers have experience writing, marking or vetting the actual VCE exams and are able to relay important information that will have an impact on SAC and exam marks. This is not something that a recent VCE graduate can do.

Knowing how the exams are marked gives VCE exam markers the ability to guide you through the exam preparation process in the quickest and most effective way. You’ll spend your time revising what really matters, and you can’t get that kind of guidance from recent high school graduates who have no teaching experience, and who don’t have access to the detailed insights experienced teachers provide.

Each time you go through the VCE – you learn something new and consolidate your previous learnings more thoroughly. There are great advantages to using a person who’s gone through the VCE numerous times.

Qualified teachers are trained to teach different types of learners – a skill that rarely evolves without the right type of instruction and experience. They also have substantial experience relating to all kinds of students – from the quiet or shy student to the extroverted individuals!

VCE teachers have extensive experience marking SACs and preparing students for their VCE exams. Their knowledge of subject materials extends beyond the text book, and in most cases they have real life experience in the subject they teach in.

Some tuition programs using qualified, experienced VCE teachers are comparable in price to courses run by recent VCE graduates.

Disadvantages

Qualified teachers charge higher rates for one-on-one tuition than recent VCE graduates. The more experienced a teacher is, the higher their hourly rate.

Some students find it difficult to relate to older people.

Who’s the Best Choice for Me?

There are many study support services available for students wanting to maximise their VCE marks and each has its benefits and role in helping students reach their full potential. But with so many options available, how do you choose which one is right for you?

Here are some questions that you may like to consider:

If money wasn’t an issue, which would I choose? A qualified VCE teacher or a recent VCE graduate?

Why don’t schools employ recent VCE graduates as teachers?

Why do the top schools head hunt experienced teachers who have had VCE marking experience and/or have written past VCE exams?

Why do notable education companies use qualified, experienced VCE teachers rather than high performing VCE graduates?

Am I at risk if I choose to use inexperienced, unqualified educators? If so, am I prepared to get lower marks than what I could otherwise?

Who has the knowledge and experience I need to give me the right advice regarding SACs and exams?

Do I need a qualified, experienced VCE teacher to explain concepts to me and to help me with my general homework?

Could I use a recent VCE graduate to help me with my day to day problems and use a qualified VCE teacher to prepare me for me SACs and exams?